The Sustainability Curriculum and Green Chemistry at

Wilkes University

Greg PetersDepartment of ChemistryWilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre, PA 1876623 June 2009

OverviewBrief introduction to Wilkes UniversityChemistry Department/Degree optionsSustainability Concentration

DefinitionsVariablesDegree FoundationProgram Requirements

Coursework involves new ways of thinking (for a scientist)

Introduction to Wilkes Private, independent institution1933 (Bucknell Teachers College)~2500 undergraduates

Slightly above average incoming SAT scoresMostly NEPA (~90%); first generation

Pharm.; MBA; Ed.Law School initiative

Chemistry at Wilkes

Offer both Chemistry and Biochem. DegreesACS certified (BS); BA options available

Graduate between 5-15 students per year

Variety of career pathsIndustry, grad/professional school, education

Well equipped (all the typical instrumentation)Just received funding for a 400 MHz NMR

BA Degree Options

Designed with flexibility in mindBA in Chemistry—Secondary Ed./Computer Science, Law, Business, Engineering

BA in Biochemistry—Med School, Dental, other allied Health Science students

Flexible framework—took a look at ‘green’

Overview of Sustain[ ]ability

Sustainability—”meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

General DefinitionNothing specific to scienceNor chemistry (nor science for that matter)

Degree ConsiderationsStudents need to ‘think’ in sustainability terms; …more than one variable

ScientificEconomicPoliticalSocialEthicalLegal

More than merging the three

Sustainability Degree TrackPretty typical “Gen Ed” start

Skills component, math/science, humanities, social, arts

Chemistry FrameworkTypical year-long coursesLab work not neglected

Integrated lab (Inorganic, Biochem, etc)Senior Research, capstone project

Math and Physics requirements as wellProgram Requirements (~1/3rd of total credits)

Four categories

Foundation in ChemistryYear-long courses (with the labs) in the traditional areas.

Gen Chem, Organic, Analytical, PChem

Upper level coursesJr. Seminar—professional development, literature reviewEnvironmental Chemistry

Math through Calc III (some take diffy-q) Year of calc-based Physics

Lab Experience—Green Chem12 credit hours of lab (including Gen Chem)

Introduced Green Chemistry into entire sequenceInquiry-based “Preparation of Biodiesel” labOther labs with a “Green Theme”

Recycling of Copper, AluminumColligative properties, kineticsModeling labs (computer or tinker-toy kits)

Labs with Analytical, Organic, Physical Integrated Lab

Combination of disciplines into a more ‘real’ lab experienceElements of biochem, structure, inorganic, env.,

Build on Analytical, Organic, Pchem labs

Advanced Lab

Spring semester…junior year. (Jr. Seminar)Select research advisorPrepare literature review of project BEFORE beginning research in fall of Sr. year.

Fall semester…conduct researchGive a typical 20-min ACS-style talkKing’s/Misericordia

Spring semester…continue projectPoster presentation/dinner

Program Requirements

39 credits—from four “Areas/Perspectives”

Builds upon variables discussed earlierWriting PerspectivePolitical/Legal PerspectiveEthics and EconomicsEnvironmental Perspective

Program BreakdownProgram Requirements:

Area 1—Writing Perspective (3)

___ENG 228 Professional/Workplace Writing (3)___ENG 202 Technical/Workplace Writing (3)

Area 2—Political/Legal Perspective (6)

___BA 223 Legal Environment of Business (3)___PS 260 Intro. to Political Thinking (3)___PS 224 Public Policy Analysis (3)

Area 3—Ethical Perspective (3)

___PHL 250 Philosophy of Science (3)___PHL 218 Environmental Ethics (*) (3)

Students should check with their advisor to ensure appropriate course sequences/availability.

Area 4—Environmental Perspective (21)

___EES 210 Global Climate Change (3)___EES 240 Principles of Environ. Science (3)___EES 330 Water Quality (4)___EES 332 Air Quality (3)___EES 340 Ecology (3)___EES 271 Env. Mapping I: The GPS (3)___EES 272 Env. Mapping II: The GPS (3)___EES 304 Environmental Data Analysis (2)___EES 398 Topics in EES (1-3)___ENV 305 Solid Waste (3)___ENV 315 Soils (3)___ENV 321 Hydrology (4)___ENV 351 Wastewater (4)___ENV 353 Air Pollution (4)___ENV 354 Hazardous Waste (3)___ENV 398 Topics in Engineering (1-3)___ME 322Engineering Thermodynamics (3)___ME 325Energy Systems (3)

Writing / Political & LegalWriting—Integrated throughout the curriculum

Two semesters of Comp (meets Wilkes ‘core’)Senior Research / Jr. Seminar

One of two courses focused on “Workplace Writing”“real world” writing…variety of formats/audiences etc

Legal/Political Perspective—new ways to thinkTraining scientists to think about legalities/politics/business?

Instead of lawyers/politicians thinking like scientists?Two courses (three options)

Ethical PerspectiveAgain…another way to think…often not included in a science curriculum.

Philosophy of ScienceEnvironmental Ethics

Choose one of two (could choose both)

Environmental Perspective

21 credits…no set track for them eitherMust work with advisor early to ensure sequential coursesTakes classes in EES (Earth/Environmental Science), ME (Mechanical Engieering) and ENV (Environmental Engineering)

Allows student to choose courses of interest.avoid the ‘jack of all trades’

Capstone Research project ‘could’ come from these areas, as long as it meets with Dept. approval.

Chem. Dept. Projects

CFC’s to Inductively Asymmetric PhosphanesUses CFC as reagent for IAP productionCompletely consumed (LR)Cl from CFC becomes LiCl

Porphyrin ChemistryOEP substitution chemistry (battery apps)

Projects in the ENV/EES Department

H2P PF2

electronically different phosphorus atoms

Research/Capstone Projects

Projects from other Departments

Arsenic RemovalAMDMarcellus Shale StudiesWellwater qualityReal-time monitoring of Susquehanna River

Wrapping Up

Wilkes University has developed a degree track with a sustainability ‘emphasis’.

Coursework stresses new (or sustainable) ways of thinking.

Currently two students in the program; though the degree track < a year old.

Acknowledgements

Terri Wignot

Dale Bruns

Ned Fetcher

Wilkes University

The Institute for Environmental Science and Sustainability